Georginio Wijnaldum scored one and played a key part in another as Newcastle United ended Liverpool’s recent resurgence under Jurgen Klopp.
There was very little to separate the two sides at St James’ Park for large parts, until Wijnaldum saw his effort turned home by Martin Skrtel a little over 20 minutes from time.
It is just a second defeat during Klopp’s 12-game tenure on Merseyside, meanwhile, meaning a chance to draw level on points with Tottenham Hotspur in fifth place passed the underwhelming Reds by.
Papiss Cisse squandered the home side’s only real opportunity of the opening 45 minutes, having been dispossessed by Skrtel when trying to cut inside high up the pitch.
It was not until the 69th minute mark that the breakthrough goal finally arrived, though, after Wijnaldum’s smart play ended with a shot deflecting beyond the reach of a helpless Simon Mignolet.
Liverpool had chances to rescue themselves at least a point in the remaining time, with Daniel Sturridge failing to capitalise on Adam Lallana’s fine attacking work and Dejan Lovren heading narrowly wide.
Klopp was left angered in the final 10 minutes when Alberto Moreno had a goal ruled out for offside, which proved to be a huge call at 1-0 as Sissoko played a perfectly-weighted pass for Wijnaldum to wrap things up at the death.
The Magpies, previously with just one win in their last five – including a 5-1 thrashing at Crystal Palace last weekend – are now level on points with Bournemouth and Norwich City on 13 points.
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